Help me pick my Brera!

[Skypilot]

Hey guys, I'm new here!

I am about to make the biggest decision of this week, and the decision is whether I buy a 2007 black Brera 2.2 JTS 134,000kms for $9K or a 2008 red V6 3.2 44,000kms for $23K???

My heart says the V6, my head says the 2.2. The V6 is in excellent condition, the 2.2. in great condition.

My thoughts are...

2.2 Pros:

• Cheap
• 50% of kms were between Sydney and Canberra, so mostly in 6th gear and easy driving
• The black with the blue/tan combo looks great
• Cheaper petrol
• I can use the $13K savings on lots of things - a new Apple Watch, holidays, savings

2.2 Cons:

• Forget future resale
• Timing chain hasn't been replaced. This would be due anytime and cost a few thousand
• Wheels are near bald, new tyres needed
• Manual will suck with everyday Sydney driving

V6 Pros:

• Vroom vroom
• Better resale value
• Red colour a welcome change as I usually get black/white cars
• Sparkling condition for age
• Such low kms, hasn't been driven hard
• Will last many more years than the 2.2
• Automatic makes it less fun (but I suppose easier drive in work traffic)
• The paddle shifters is a nice novelty

V6 Cons:

• Thirsty car especially with Sydney start-stop traffic
• Extra $13K could be spent on other things!
• Higher insurance cost
• Leather colour (black/grey combo) not as "vintage" or exciting

I am so torn as both options are polar opposites. I am single so I don't need this for a family, so would like to enjoy it for a few years. 90% of my driving is just 30 mins between home and work in Sydney's notorious traffic-ridden roads. But I would go for cruisues on the weekend.

I'm worried if the 2.2 needs major engine work like the timing chain replacement, the price gap will close in and I may regret not getting the rare V6. But then my whole objective in selling my Honda HR-V was to get rid of a personal loan and be debt free. The V6 will put me back into a loan, albeit lesser.

Heart vs Head. Who will win???

[Citroënbender]

Neither. Both are out of warranty and therefore it's 100% caveat emptor. Extremely un-ideal choices for going into debt.

[Colin Edwards]

The V6 is not that thirsty if driven sensibly, you run the tire pressures at 40psi and have a wheel alignment done by someone who knows these cars well.

My V6 159 is a 4WD manual Ti and I drive it every day in Melbourne traffic.  Nothing wrong with the 2.2, but I set out to find the car I now have and never regretted it.  On the very odd occasion the auto or even better a TCT would be nice, but I try to avoid areas of crawling traffic.

Agree with most of your pros and cons, however the V6 is a very capable engine.  Lots of low down torque and will happily pull hard to 6K+.  Run it on 98 and economy will definitely improve and do change the oil every 10K.

I'm not sure if this applies to the Brera, but around late 2007 - early 2008 the 159 went on a diet and lost around 65kg.  The front lower control arm bushes were beefed up as well - about 20mm larger.  Could be an argument for going with the later model car.

I went with my heart and my head eventually wised up!  Buy the 2.2 and you will eventually regret it.  The price difference between the two options clearly indicates which is the most desirable car.

Life's too short to drive a boring car!

[Craig_m67]

Don't forget the V6 has the potential to need a chain at some stage also.
Wear is not only mileage BUT age dependent - especially when it comes to bushes/plastic bits etc..

Personally, I'd be holding out for a cheaper/higher km V6 - engines will eat huge K's these days without issue.



..or buy a Giulietta QV.. best bang for buck buying in the Alfa world at the moment.

[Paul Gulliver]

 + 1 for the Giulietta QV. But if your heart is set on a Brera don't forget the 1750 TBI

[Bourney]

Go with your heart - you won't regret it.
If you add in the tyres, timing belt, etc the gap reduces.

[Skypilot]

Thanks all for your input. I jumped on the V6. For a nearly 10 year old car it was like brand new. Even the brushed aluminium inside the Brera had not a single scratch. The leather was 100%. There were only some minor surface marks on the driver's door which could be polished out and some rim scratches, which I plan to get fixed. And best of all, they didn't follow the logbook schedule. They serviced the car every 5000kms with an Alfa specialist! Stamped and everything. It was too good to pass to get a sub-50kms Brera in excellent condition, and was originally just under $100K. Going to my local take-aways has just become more fun

Whilst the other car was $11K cheaper, once you factor in the difference in engine, condition, kms, etc, it was only about $5k difference, which I figured would potentially be the cost to maintain the much older Brera in the near term anyway.

[Bourney]

Great news!
Post a pic when you can.

[kaleuclint]

You made the right choice.  2.2 is certainly sensible but you'd soon find it underwhelming in the relatively heavy Brera.  V6 is the one you'd keep for the longer term.  That'll save you money eventually.  Enjoy!